Etihad Airways, together with Boeing, Total, Takreer and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, today launched a joint industry roadmap for the sustainable production of aviation biofuels in the United Arab Emirates. The BIOjet Abu Dhabi: Flight Path to Sustainability report outlines a set of recommended industry actions to create a commercially viable domestic aviation biofuel industry - a first for the Middle East.

The BIOjet Abu Dhabi roadmap is
the culmination of an extensive year-long dialogue between Etihad Airways, its
four BIOjet Abu Dhabi partners, and UAE and global stakeholders.
It explains Abu Dhabi’s potential to produce aviation biofuel locally, in a
sustainable way, taking account of all elements of the supply chain from
feedstock supplies to biorefining and distribution.

James
Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “The
industry’s licence to grow can only be granted if we find and implement ways to
lower the carbon footprint of commercial aviation.

“Together with our partners, we are
proud to present our roadmap to encourage greater commitment from the industry
and local community in establishing a sustainable biofuel supply chain in the
UAE – the next logical step in Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy commitments.
The formation of a viable UAE aviation biofuel industry in Abu Dhabi presents
significant opportunity for the capital’s ongoing economic diversification
initiatives.”

The roadmap explores how a supply
chain can be established in the UAE through the exploration of sustainable
feedstocks, new infrastructure requirements and necessary policy
frameworks. It clearly indicates that Abu Dhabi holds significant
potential to supply domestic feedstocks for use in aviation biofuel.

Bernie Dunn, President of Boeing
Middle East, said: “BIOjet Abu Dhabi represents a key opportunity for
the UAE to create the environment needed to innovate in ways that support
long-term sustainable growth for commercial aviation here and around the
world.”

Jasem Ali Al Sayegh, Chief Executive
Officer of Takreer, said: “The development of a biofuel supply chain
complements our future plans to meet the rapidly growing demand for jet fuel at
both a local and regional level, and is in line with the ADNOC sustainability
policy.”

Bernard Clément, Senior Vice President
of Total New Energies, said: “Total is committed to better energy. As a
long-term partner of Abu Dhabi and responsible oil and gas producer, Total is
pleased to assist the Emirate in the diversification of its energy mix by
developing innovative collaborations around new energy projects and fostering
the development of efficient, reliable and sustainable aviation biofuel
solutions.”

The BIOjet Abu Dhabi roadmap
builds on local research undertaken by the Sustainable Bioenergy Research
Consortium, led by the Masdar Institute, whose flagship project is the
Integrated Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (ISEAS). ISEAS is an
initiative to develop a unique form of agriculture, producing food and energy
products on traditionally non-arable desert land irrigated with seawater. The
pilot ISEAS facility is currently under construction within Masdar City.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President,
Masdar Institute, said: “In order to commercialise these technologies, efforts
such as BIOjet Abu Dhabi are essential. Through the knowledge that our
researchers have contributed, we are pleased to be supporting the establishment
of this industry and progressing the UAE’s economic diversification and
innovation priorities.”

The concluding action
plan identifies opportunities, challenges and concerns in the commercial
scale-up of domestic biofuel production, and will require the commitment of all
stakeholders in addressing these.